If he’s anything like his father, he’ll fit right in at Atlético
Atlético Madrid have already completed some excellent business this summer, bringing in Thomas Lemar from Monaco and Gelson Martins from Sporting Clube de Portugal. The wingers will complement an already strong attack, and Diego Simeone wants even more reinforcements, namely his son, Giovanni Simeone.
‘El Cholito’ currently plays for Fiorentina, who have rejected a €40m bid from Atlético Madrid for the striker. According to Spanish newspaper Sport, Fiorentina have not ruled out selling their star forward but would want a fee in excess of what Atléti have offered.
Giovanni Simeone scored 14 goals in 38 matches for La Viola last season – not a bad return for a 23-year-old. But, despite being Diego’s son, that sort of form does not usually justify a fee higher than €40m.
But if the father and son do reunite, it is unlikely that Giovanni would get much game time at the Wanda Metropolitano. Not even nepotism is enough of a reason for El Cholo to drop Diego Costa or Antoine Griezmann.
Atléti go into the new season with high hopes of building on last season’s second place finish. Having signed the aformentioned attackers as well as Rodri in midfield, they have the squad depth to compete on all fronts and a manager who knows how to protect a lead. Don’t be surprised to see them pushing both Real Madrid and Barcelona all the way next season.
